Disentangling the relationship between employees’ dynamic capabilities, innovative work behavior and job performance in public hospitals

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between innovative work behavior and job performance among physicians in Iraq’s public hospitals. It also quantifies the impact of employees’ dynamic capabilities on innovative work behavior. It further examines the mediating role of innovative work behavior in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and of employees’ job performance. Design/methodology/approach The survey had a total of 332 respondents, but only 173 responses were used after data screening. To determine the relationship between the variables, the study uses structural equation modeling via partial least squares (PLS-SEM). Findings This study indicates that innovative work behavior has a positive relationship with job performance among physicians in Iraq’s public hospitals. It also reveals that employees’ dynamic capabilities are important determinants of innovative work behavior. This research further shows that innovative work behavior has a positive mediating role in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and job performance among physicians in Iraq’s public hospitals. Originality/value This study implies that innovative work behavior can improve physicians’ job performance while the employees’ dynamic capabilities can improve innovative work behavior. Besides, innovative work behavior can amplify the impact of employees’ dynamic capabilities on job performance. Thus, Iraq’s public hospitals should make a concerted effort to promote innovative work behavior to improve physicians’ job performance.